Tidewater control system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for assisting the flow of water in rivers, streams and tributaries using the propulsive power of anchored marine vessels to move water in the direction of flow to aid flow and lower water levels in rivers, streams and tributaries.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/495216 (“the '216 application”) filed Jun. 9, 2011. The '216 application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to systems for controlling the flow of water in rivers, lakes and manmade channels in order to lower water or tide levels in flooding or other adverse situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As evidenced by recent events, severe flooding is a constant problem for those areas in the nation near rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade. A primary example is the flooding caused by the Mississippi River and its tributaries that drain most of the mid United States. The Mississippi River normally flows at approximately 700,000 to 200,000 cubic feet of water per second (cfs). When snow and rainfall levels in the North are abnormally high, the Mississippi is forced to drain more water than it can safely handle thereby causing higher water levels with overtopping of the levee protection system. In addition this higher river volume increases the water flow rate threatening the structure of the levees. Other natural phenomenon such as the development of sand bars at the mouth of a river cause the river speed to drastically drop, further limiting the ability of the river to move the enormous volume of water draining into it.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system or method that will assist the flow of water in rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade to lower tide or water levels in order to prevent flooding of homes and properties. Typically, a river is flowing into another body of water such as an ocean, or a drainage canal may flow into a lake. Prime examples are the Mississippi River flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, and drainage canals in the City of New Orleans flowing into Lake Ponchartrain. The draining river or canal must overcome the existing tidewater or water level of the receiving body for water to drain. By anchoring a crew boat or large vessel or a fleet of such vessels at the mouth of the Mississippi River and pointed into the flow of the River, with the engines running, the higher tide will be pushed back into the Gulf, lowering the River level and aiding flow.

It is an object of this invention to use the propulsive power of marine vessels to move water in the direction of drainage to assist in the natural gravity flow of a river or a canal. Marine vessels are normally powered to be propelled in the water but, if the vessel is retarded or firmly anchored and pointed against the flow of a river and given propulsive power, the propellers will move water in the direction of the river flow, thereby serving as an adjunct or assist to the river flow. By employing a multiplicity of highly powered commercial vessels such as commonly used in the offshore industries, a significant power assist could be provided to river flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cross sectional view at the mouth of a river with a marine vessel deployed as part of the inventive system and method.

FIG. 2 depicts a plan view of the inventive system at the mouth of a river and in tributary canals.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the 17^(th) Street Canal in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the same area shown in FIG. 3, but with the inventive system and method deployed to prevent flooding through the broken flood wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 the inventive tidewater control system 1 is depicted as deployed at the mouth 25 of a river 2 such as the Mississippi River. As the water flows down the Mississippi River towards the Gulf of Mexico, around the City of New Orleans the water or tide is moving at about 3 to 7 mph. When the tide reaches the mouth of the River it slows to about 1 to 2 mph because of the width of the mouth. Because of this, sand and sediment sink and form sand bars that further slow the flow of water.

As shown in FIG. 1, at least one powered marine vessel 4 would be anchored in the Gulf of Mexico 3 beyond a sand bar 11 at the mouth 25 of the river 2 with an anchor 9 and mooring line 8 and pointed against the river flow direction 10. When the engines 12 of the marine vessel 4 is powered to turn the propellers 6, water as indicated by prop wash 7 will be forced back into the Gulf 3 to lower the tide level 5 in the river 2 and reduce the size of the sand bar 11. It is understood that, while only one vessel 4 is depicted in FIG. 1, a multiplicity of vessels, each with one or more engines 12 and propellers 6, could be engaged in the inventive system 1.

FIG. 2 depicts a plan view of inventive tidewater control system 1 deployed at the mouth 25 of a river 2 with a fleet or multiplicity of powered marine vessels 4 anchored with mooring lines 8 and anchors 9 beyond a sand bar 11 and pointed against the river flow direction 10. As shown in FIG. 1, when the engines 12 of the marine vessels 4 are powered to turn the propellers 6, water as indicated by prop wash 7 will be forced back into the Gulf 3 to lower the tide level 5 in the river 2 and reduce the size of the sand bar 11.

FIG. 2 also depicts the inventive system 1 deployed in a tributary canal 14 that has a sand bar 11 near the entrance of the tributary canal 14 to the river 2. The marine vessel 4 would be anchored in the tributary canal 14 pointed against the canal water flow 10. By powering the vessel 4 through the engines 12 and propellers 6, water as shown by the prop wash 7 will be forced back the canal 14 to lower the tide level 5 in the river 2 and reduce the size of the sand bar 11.

FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of the failure of the flood walls 21 at the 17^(th) Street Canal 19 in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. A breach 23 in the floodwall 21 occurred on the Orleans Parish side of the Canal 19, opposite the Jefferson Parish side. Also shown is a bridge 17 and road 18. The breach 23 allowed floodwaters 24 to wash out the mud and clay levee 22, completely flooding and destroying residences along the side of the Canal 19. The Canal 19 empties into Lake Ponchartrain 15. At the time of this flooding the canal water level 20 was plus 15 feet as was the lake water level 16. These water levels were well above the elevation of the breach 23, so the flood water 21 continued to flood New Orleans.

FIG. 4 has the same plan view as shown in FIG. 3, but with the inventive tidewater control system deployed at the mouth of the canal 19. As shown, marine vessels 4 are anchored and pointed into the canal 19. By engaging the engines 12 and propellers 6, the flood water will be pushed back into the Lake 15, lowering the canal water level 20 to plus 10 feet below the level of the breach 23. This example is offered to illustrate the benefits of the inventive system and method that can be deployed rapidly in emergency situations. 

1. A method for assisting the natural gravity flow of a river or canal into an ocean or lake comprising the steps of: providing at least one powered marine vessel with at least one propeller; pointing the marine vessel in a direction opposite the natural gravity flow of a river or canal; powering the propellers of the marine vessel anchoring the marine vessel to prevent forward motion of the marine vessel in a direction opposite the natural gravity flow of a river or canal; and moving water with the propeller in the same direction as the natural gravity flow of a river or canal, thereby increasing the flow.
 2. The method of claim 1 where the step of anchoring the marine vessel to prevent forward motion of the marine vessel in a direction opposite the natural gravity flow of a river or canal, further includes anchoring the marine vessel at the mouth of a river or canal.
 3. The method of claim 3 where the step of anchoring the marine vessel at the mouth of a river or canal further includes anchoring the marine vessel beyond a sandbar at the mouth of a river or canal to reduce the size of the sandbar.
 4. A method for lowering the water level of a body of water flowing into a receiving body of water comprising the steps of: providing at least one powered marine vessel with at least one propeller; pointing the marine vessel into the point of flow from the body of water; powering the propellers of the marine vessel anchoring the marine vessel to prevent forward motion of the marine vessel into the body of water flowing into a receiving body of water; and moving water with the propeller in the same direction as the flow of water into the receiving body of water, thereby lowering the water level.
 5. The method of claim 4 where the step of anchoring the marine vessel to prevent forward motion of the marine vessel into the body of water further includes anchoring the marine vessel where the body of water flows into the receiving body of water. 